Leaders do the right things and managers do
things right -- a classic interpretation of leaders. Many simply see leaders as
those in top positions in the organization and managers as those somewhere down
below. To others, leaders are people at the cutting edge of a movement. Still, to
others, leaders are empowered followers. In today's confusing and highly critical
world, leaders might simply be those people who are sticking their necks out....

For leaders of this nature to effectively lead their organizations, they must first
effectively lead themselves. They must maintain
perspective on their lives and their work. Maintaining this perspective requires
wholehearted participation -- authenticity -- whether one is leading a life or an
organization. Source: On the Nature of Leadership in Leaders' Circles
by Carter McNamara, PhD (last revised: March 16, 1998)
http://www.mapnp.org/library/circles/defn_ldr.htm

'The church will not go further
than the leaders will allow.'

That statement is considered generally true. It has been used in sermons regarding
elections of church officers.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be
teachers , my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Interestingly, this implies that leaders who have chosen to compromise Gods
values, have helped limit the people of the church to less godliness than they would have
otherwise obtained. Therefore, they cannot achieve greater potential rewards in
heaven. The leaders and those they influence are both injured.

It is simple. If the leader shows people the gold standard way, (as
evidenced in the Holy Scriptures), those influenced should strive to conduct their
lives through his example, words, and scriptural direction. The people may not
achieve the leader's high mark, but at the same time, they will strive to get closer to
the goal that also pleases God. With this, the people who listen may respond to
ensure greater rewards in heaven. Part of the reason we became believers had to do
with examples by others and their positive impact on our lives.

Conversely, what happens to the church when the leaders choose to become backers of
politicians who, by definition, have guaranteed a compromise on Gods issues?
In the name of 'winning', we have chosen a less important god and become ensnared
with the world, injuring our witness and our neighbor as well as ourselves.

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a
snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
James 4: 4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred
toward God ? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God .

Compromise causes the church to lose its salt and our influence is diminished. The
strength of the church is not that it has a seat at the table with politicians but that
politicians must see the need to embrace the church or fear punishment by a Holy God. To
do this, we, the church must cleanse itself of leavening (compromise) and hold the
biblical truth inerrant. Therefore, those who may choose not to agree with
scripture run the risk of Gods displeasure and wrath. Christian leaders
especially should not choose likewise.

When church leaders condone compromise even in politics- they too are in danger
of Gods displeasure and wrath. Does anything matter more?

2Corintihans 10:3 For though we live in the world , we do
not wage war as the world does.

If the leaders are in danger of Gods displeasure, doesnt that imply they
run the risk of taking down some of their flock
with them, if the church is limited by their leaders lead?

The church 'leaders' should direct us to the gold standard  pleasing God as we
strive for perfection. The leaders must never come between us and that goal. Clergy
and other leaders should set the standard of near perfection. Perfection is a
worthy goal, but never totally expected or necessary for salvation. The failure of
reaching perfection should fall on each individual who cannot gain the impossible
objective but have living examples as incentives to strive toward that goal, to please
God. Leaders are responsible for their followers. If the goal is set too low,
it is too easy to attain, possibly risking salvation itself (by their fruits you will know
them). The goal of being like Christ is never achievable but we all must strive toward
that end. It isnt that Christians mustreach these
difficult objectives, but dont we want to delight our LORD as much as possible?

It cannot be overemphasized, though, through our actions, we cannot gain Gods
acceptance. Our actions become a means of showing our love to Him.

Who among us, when we are trying to sell an item, will start out with a price that is
too low? That would be foolish in the eyes of anyone. How much more so is the idea of
bartering with Gods values? The church should show even Christian politicians simply
that they cannot compromise on God's issues. Willingness of the church leaders to
compromise from the beginning automatically sets the sale price so low that the more
important moral issues are listed way down the rank of things the politician chooses to
accomplish.

Said in another way, if in politics, compromise is the name of the game, why do we
start only partially standing firm, as with abortion? We have willingly forfeited half of
the battle, therefore automatically losing more. We must show Gods standard.
Otherwise, who would believe our commitment?

1John 4: 4 You, dear children, are from God and have
overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world .
5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world , and the
world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever
is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and
the spirit of falsehood.

These pages explore how we could best please God. In response to our appropriate
action, we should hope expect our nation to be healed. If we continue to fail, we
have no hope, whatsoever. Without God on our side, we are condemned.